Published: June 22, 2009 09:10 am      

Texas Department of State Health Services 
DSHS Warns Against Eating Raw Cookie Dough Linked to E. Coli O157:H7 Outbreak

AUSTIN – The Texas Department of State Health Services is warning consumers to avoid eating any varieties of prepackaged Nestle Toll House refrigerated cookie dough as state and federal health officials investigate an outbreak of E. coli O157:H7.

Consumers are advised to throw away or return any prepackaged, refrigerated Nestle Toll House cookie dough products. Cooking the dough is not recommended because people can get the E. coli bacteria on their hands or cooking surfaces.

Today, Nestle USA’s Baking Division voluntarily recalled all Nestle Toll House refrigerated cookie dough products including Nestle Toll House refrigerated Cookie Bar Dough, Cookie Dough Tub, Cookie Dough Tube, Limited Edition Cookie Dough items, Seasonal Cookie Dough and Ultimates Cookie Bar Dough. No other Nestle Toll House products are included.

To date, 66 cases of E. coli O157:H7 have been reported in 28 states, including three in Texas. No deaths have been reported, and the three Texas cases have recovered.

E. coli O157:H7 is a bacterial illness that causes bloody diarrhea and can lead to serious kidney damage and death. Most healthy adults recover in five to 10 days, but children under age 5 and the elderly are more likely to develop a severe illness.

People, especially children in diapers, can pass E. coli O157:H7 to others if contaminated  feces get in the mouth. If you think you or someone in your family has an E. coli O157:H7 infection, call your doctor or clinic immediately.

Information on the recall is available from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration at www.fda.gov. A complete listing of the recalled products is available at www.nestleusa.com/PubNews/PressReleaseLibraryDetails.aspx?id=133CC131-A79F-4E84-9C43-C9F99FE5BC99.